Permutation lock for receptacles



G. B, KEPLINGER.

PERMUT-ATION LOCK FOR RECEPTACLES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT-4 I917.

Patented Jan. 10;

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

G. B. KEPLINGER PERMUTATION LOOK FOR RECEPTACLES.

APPLICATION HLED SEPT- 4,1917- Patented Jan. 1Q, 1922.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

GEORGE E. KEPLINGER, 01 CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 .GRU'VER MFG. (30.. OF

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

PERMU'IATION LOCK FOR REGEPTACLES.

i ,aeasee.

Application filed September 4, 1917.

T 0 all whom it may concem Be it known that T. Gnonon Kurtisone, citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cool; and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pei-imitation Locks for Receptacles; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention. such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in a receptacle equipped with a removable cover constituting a portion ot a 1 crmutat-ion lock which normally locks the cover in place upon the receptacle and against removal, and more particularly to small rc ceptacles adapted to be carried in the pocket. The main object of the invention is to provide a receptacle oi"? the character delined in which the locking element occupies a coinparatively small space thereby particularly adapting such receptacle for use as a pocket savings bank or the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide a receptacle of the character defined which may be easily and cheaply manufactured, which presents a very neat appearance.

The invention consists in the features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described and particularly claimed.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating a suitable embodiment of the invention Figure -1- is a perspective view oi the receptacle constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a diametric section of the same.

Figure is a fragmentary deta l view showing a guard spring employed.

Figure -4-- is a fragmentary detail section showing a detail of construction.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the receptacle with the cover removed.

Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the inner face of the cover.

Figures 7 8 and 9 are detail sectional perspective views showing portions of the permutation lock mechanism.

Figure -10 is a detail perspective view of one of the tumblers employed.

Figure -1lis a similar view of another of the tumblers employed.

Figure 12 is a view similar to Figures Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 1U, 11%252.

Serial no. 189,551.

10 and 1l showing a ring employed for transmitting movement of the cover to one of the tumblers The receptacle comprises a cylindrical wall 1 to which. a bottom portion 2 is permanently secured in any suitable manner. At the mouth of the receptacle 1 there is formed an annular inwardly extending flange 3 having a cylindrical lip 4: extending toward. the bottom 2. The said flange 3 and lip 4. coact with the wall 1 to provide an annular channel in which the-lock elements or rings 5 and 6 are adapted to he received.

The said flange 3 and lip 4 are provided preferably with three recesses 7 extending radially and spaced equidistantly from each other. and the said lock elements 5 and 6 are similarly provided with recesses 8 and 9 respectively. adapted to register with each other and with the recesses 7 when the cover is to be removed and replaced.

The said cover comprises an outer concave-convex element 10 which is provided at its periphery with a graduated scale 11 having a certain number of divisions which. in the instance illustrated, total one hundred. every tenth one of which is numbered. The said element 10 receives a disc 12 having a central dished portion 13. The edge portion of the element 10 is crimped over the circumferential edge ot the disc 12, the latter being preferably slightly corrugated or similarly roughened so as to bite into the overhanging flange 14; of the outer disc or its celluloid or other covering so as to securely hold the disc 12 and the cover member 10 against relative rotation. The disc 12 is provided with three equally spaced L-shaped projectionslo adapted to register with and pass through the recesses 7. 8 and 9 when the latter are in register with each other for mounting and removing the cover. The free end portions of the projections 15 project radially outwardly and underneath the flange 3 and its lip 4 when said cover 1s turned relatively to the receptacle body through an are less than one hundredtwenty degrees.

The permutation lock includes as aforesaid, the tumbler 5 which comprises a r ng equipped with three outwardly extending arcuate flanges 16. 17 and 18, which are relatively so disposed that one of the recesses 8 extends into each of said flanges, but at difvt'erent points between a, b and 0 the ends of the same, In this manner three arcuate spaces of respectively diflerent lengths and differently positioned with respect to the recesses 8 are formed exteriorly of the ring 5, the purpose of which will hereinafter appear. The ring 5 has one end flush with one face of each of the flanges 16, 17 and 18, the other end portion being parallel with but spaced therefrom so as to provide an arcuate shoulder 19 contiguous'to each of the arcuate flanges and on opposite sides of each of the recesses 8. Preferably the ring 5 is slightly distorted so that when it is mounted within the channel formed by the flange 3 and its lip 4, said ring will frictionally engage the said lip 4 and resist free rotation relatively to the same. The radial distance from the inner face of the ring 5 to the outer edge of each of its arcuate flanges is less than the width of the annular channelin which said ring 'lies. Said ring is so positioned that the arcuate flanges thereof abut against the lower face of the flange 3, and the inner face of the ring 5 engages the outer circumferential face of the lip 4. V

The tumbler 6 consists of a flat ringof metal having an annular flange 20 which projects from one face of said ring a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the arcuate flanges of the ring 5. The ring 6 is provided with bayonet slots 21 which provide free spring tongues 22 adapted to be bent slightly outwardly for engagement with the inner face of the cylindrical wall 1 of the receptacle for providing a yielding resistance to the free rotationof said ring 6. The depth of the flange 20 and ring 6, and also the depth of the ring 5, is preferably substantially equal to the depth of the lip 4 of the flange 3, or of the channel bordered by said lip so that when said tumblers are mounted in said channel they completely fill the same. The ring 6 is further provided with two pairs of projections 23 and 24. The former project from the same face of the said ring as the flange 20, while the latter project from the other or exposed face of said ring when the latteris mounted in the channel aforesaid.

Associated with said tumblers 5 and 6, and the projections 15 of the cover, is a small ring 25 which fits relatively snugly against the inner circumferential face of the wall 1 of the receptacle, and is provided' with a small annular flange 27 normally lying in surface contact with the outer circumferential edge portion of the exposed face of the ring 6. The said ring 25 is held in place, as are also the tumblers 5 and 6, by means of the split ring 28 of wire which is sprung into the annular groove or bead 29 between the ends of the wall 1 of the receptacle. The ring .25 is provided with a tongue 30 projecting radially of the recep tacle' and over'the' edge of the lip 4?: Said incense tongue may be suitably secured to the-ring 25, as for example by means of the lugs 31 punched up from the flange 27 and bent over to engage opposite side edges of said tongue 30. The latter terminates at its other end in a lip 32 which partially overhangs the said split ring 28.

Suitably formed in the ceptacle is a small arrow-head or indicator 33 which is adapted to indicate on the graduations of the scale 11 of the cover as the latter is rotated relatively to the receptacle body.

The operation of the device is as follows: The tumblers 5 and 6 are first turned so that the recesses 8 and 9 therein register with the recesses 7 in the flange l. The tongue 30 of the ring 25 is turned so as to lie between two of the recesses 7. The cover is then mounted on the receptacle" by passing the projections 15 through the registering recesses 7, 3 and 9, and by then turning the cover through a short arc it becomes nonremovable from the receptacle. To lock the (over against such removal the same is turned continuously in either direction until one of the projections 15 engages the tongue 30 and'the latter engages one of the projections 2% between the two of which it must lie, thereby turning the tumbler 6 so that the recesses 9 therein are thrown out of register with the recesses 7. By still continuingthe rotation of the cover in the same direction one of the projections 23 will be thrown into engagement with one of the arcuate flanges 18 of the ring 5, and the latter will then be turned through an arc to throw the recesses 8 out of register with the recesses 'Z. This rotation. of these several parts, namely: the cover and the tumblers 5 and 6 may be continued until the tongue 32 strikes a projection 34; on the inner circumferential wall 1 of the receptacle bordering the coin slot 35 therein. In the instance illustrated there are two of saidprojections 34 for limiting manner. When this position of the several.

parts aforesaid has been attained the indicating hand or pointer 33 will register with a given graduation on the scale or dial 11. During rotation of the cover in the aforesaid direction it will have turned the tumbler 6 through a predetermined arc, and thetuin- .bler 5 through a different predetermined arc,

that are being determined in the lastnamed instance by the distance separating the outer ends of the projections 23, and by the length of the arc separating opposed ends" of the two arcuate flanges 16, 17 or 18 between wall 1 of the re-V which said projections 23 lie. The arcuate movement of the tumbler 6' to the said posi- ,ary to turn the aover in the opposite direction from that in which it has been primarily turned tl'u'ouggh the last-named arc so as to return the ring;- 5 to its first-named position. To accomplish this it is of course, necessary that the cover be turned through an arc of slightly less than one hundred twe ty degrees in order to bring another of the proje tions 15 into contact with the pposite edge of the tongue 30 from that first e red. litter the last-named projection has been brought into engagement with the opposite edge of the tongue 30 the ring 25 must be turned uitil the tongue 30 strikes he other of the projections 2% etwecn which it lies. A't' er this the ring 6 will rotate with the ring 25 until the other of the projections 23 engages an arcuate flange of the ring 5. and thereafter both ring tumblers 5 and 6 are rotated with the ring. 25. When they have been rotated through the first-named are the recesses S of the 5 will again be brought into register with the recesses '7 of the lance -l-. fit this time, however, the recesses or the ring; 6 will not be in register with said ec '7 and 8. and to bring the same into 'ster therewith it necessary 40 to again reverse the direction of rotation of the cover it) until the lirstuiamed projection l5 sl all again engage the first-named edge of the tongue 30. Tl the ring *5 will rotate with the cover until said tongue 30 urain engages the first-named projection 2i, ind by then continuing the rotation through 9 will be brought into esses T and 8. The cover a ive-n are the re: register with the must then be again reversed through the short are separating:' the last-named side edge oi the tongue 3 r from the nearest contiguous 'eaistering recess-es whereupon the cover nay Jr removed.

A aiming. for example, that after the cover has been placed on the receptacle it is necessary to turn it through an are equal to seven graduations oi? the dial 11 before the side edge of the tongue 30 is engaged by a projection 15, then the last-named reverse rotation through the same are will again bring; the projections 15 into register with said recesses and permit the cover to be removed. if, however. the rotation of the cover in the same direction is continued after the said projection 15 engages one side edge of the tongue 30, and until said tongue engages one of the projections 24-, and assuming; this to be an are equal to fifteen graduations of the dial 11, and the further rotation in the same direction of the cover necessary to bring;- the first projection 23 into engagement with an arcuate flange of the ring 5 requires a further rotation through an are equal to ten of the graduaticns the dial, then obviously in order to again bring the recesses 9 into register with the recesse. I' and 8, it will be necessary to first turn the ring 6 through an are equal to the last-named ten graduations plus fifteen graduations, or a total of twenty-iive. This is accomplished, of course by reversing the direction of rotation of the cover until another of the projections 15 engages the opposite side face of the tongue 30. This, as before stated, requires rotation of the cover through an are somewhat less than one hundred twenty degrees. From this point the cover is rotated through an arc of twenty-five degrees, whereupon the recesses 9 will again register with the recesses 7 and 8, and then by again reversing the rotation of the cover through an arc of seven graduations as aforesaid, the projections 15 will again register with the registering recesses permitting the cover to be removed. In the last-named operation it will be observed that the position of the ring 5 was not changed from normal.

The combination may be changed by varying the position of the projections 23 with respect to the arcuate flanges 16, 17 and 18, that is to say if said projections are disposed in the arcuate space between the flanges 16 and 18, the combination will be differ-cut from that which would be controlling were said proje-clions disposed between. the arcuate flan es 1'? and 18, and likewise 1G and 17. l l ithout changing the arcuate length of the respective flanges 16, 1'7 and 38, or the arcuate distance separat ing tie active ends of the projections 23 any one of six combinations may be utilized, three of them reading to the 'ht, and three to the lef l i hether the combination reads right or lef (that is to sav, whether the primary unlocking rotation of the cover shall be to the right or to the left) is determined by the position of the tongue 30 with respect to the registering: recesses disposed between the projections 24 of the ring 6. will be doubtless readily understood.

The combination is further varied by varying the position of the dial with respect to the projections 15. For example, in one case the graduation 60 0; the dial may register radially with one of the projections 15, and in another case the graduation may register therewith. The numerals of the whole combination would then vary by ten in the two cases.

The stops 34-. simplify the operation in that they always constitute a basis for determining the combination of each receptacle to the particular arcuate space in which the projections 23 lie. If in a certain lot of receptacles they lie in the largest arcuate space between the arcuate flanges of the ring 5 a person thoroughly familiar with the operation need only turn the cover to the right as far as it will turn. He will then read which of the graduations of the dial registers with the indicating hand, and will know, for example, that in attaining this position the cover was rotated to the right through an arc of forty graduations from its entering position, and that he must turn. the same to the left through an arc of eighty-live graduations to bring the recesses of the tumbler 5 into register with the recesses 7, and then must again rotate the cover to the right through an arc of fifty-two graduations to bring the recesses of the ring 6 into register with recesses 7, and that by then turning the cover seven graduations to the left, the'cover may be removed.

Thus one lot of said receptacles sold to a bank will all open on the foregoing combination, though the ordinals of the dial graduations may not be alike in any two of said lot. Ehe banker will easily be able to open any of the banks when presented for the purpose by knowledge of the foregoing.

It will be noted that the tumbler rings 5 and 6 are relatively so arranged as to be only lightly in surface contact with each other so that the rotation of one thereof will not be frictionally transmitted to the other, this being very important and obviating the interposition of washers between the rings. It will also be seen that each of the rings presents a surface flush with the inner edge of the lip l of the flange 3 so that even though the recesses of the ring 6 register with the recesses 7, the operator will not be able to ascertain this and thus learn one of the figures of the combination by pulling the cover partly off when such registery occurs.

While I have shown the preferredembodiment of the invention in the accompanying drawings, it will be understood, of course, that the same may be changed and varied in details without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A permutation lock for receptacles comprising a cylindrical receptacle body and a removable cover therefor rotatable relatively to the body, a plurality of hshaped projec tions on the inner face of the cover having their free end portions extending radially outwardly, an L-shaped inwardly extending flange at the mouth of the receptacle having its free end portion opposing the receptacle body and provided with'radial recesses corresponding in number, size and relative location with the projections on the (o er, the latter adapted to pass through said recesses and engage the lower edge of the shaped flange when the cover is turned, a plurality of permutation lock-elements mounted to rotate in the channel of said L- shaped flange having recesses adapted to register with each other and said recesses in said flange to permit mounting and removal of the cover, interengaging formations on said lock elements for limiting their rotation relatively to each other, and a projection on one of said. lock elements adapted to be engaged by projections of the cover for effecting rotation thereof with said cover.

)ermutation lock for receptacles comprismg a cylindrical receptacle body and a removable cover therefor rotatable relatively to the body, a plurality of L-shaped projections on the inner face of the cover having their free end portions extending '1' I radially outwardly, an L-shaped lnwardly extending flange at the mouth of the receptacle having its free end portion opposing the receptacle body and provided with radial recesses corresponding in number, slze and relative location with the projections on the cover, the latter adapted to pass through said recesses and engage the lower edge of the L-shaped flange when the cover is turned, a plurality of permutation lock-elements mounted to rotate in the channel of said L-shaped flange and having recesses adapted to register with each other and said recesses in said flange to permit mounting and removal ofthe cover interengaging formations on said lock elements for limiting their rotation relatively to each other, and a projection on one of said lock elements adapted to be engaged by projections of the cover for effecting rotation thereof with said cover, and said lock-elements formed for frictionally engaging the body of the receptacle to resist the rotation of said lock-elements relatively to each other and said receptacle.

3. A permutation lock for receptacles comprising a cylindrical receptacle body and a removable cover therefor rotatably relatively to the body, a plurality of L-shaped projections on the inner face of the cover having their free end portions extending radially outwardly, an L-shaped inwardly eX- tending flange at the mouth of the receptacle having its free end portlon opposing the receptacle body and provided with radial recesses corresponding in number, size and relative location with the projections on the cover, the latter adapted to pass through said recesses and engage the lower edgeof the L-shaped flange when the cover is turned, a plurality of permutation lock-elements mounted to rotate in the channel of said L- shaped flange and having recesses adapted incense t register with each other and said recesses said flange to permit mounting and re-' moval of the cover, means associated with said receptacle and said lock elements for removably holding the latter in said channel in proper position relatively to each oth interengaging formations on said look ilimiting their rotation relaother,and a projection on one oclr elements adapted to be engaged V iections of the cover for effecting roion thereof with said cover.

Ll permutation lock for receptacles comprising a cylindrical receptacle body and a removz-rble cover therefor rotatable relatively to the body, a plurality of L-shaped projections on the inner face of the cover having their free end portions extending radially outwardly, an L-shaped inwardly extending flange at the mouth of the receptacle having its free end portion opposing the receptacle body and provided with radial recesses corresponding in number, size and rclative location with the projections on the cover. the latter adapted to pass through said recesses and engagethe lower edge of the L-shaped flange when the cover is turned, a plurality of permutation lack-elements mounted to rotate in the channel or" said 5.- shaped flange and having recesses adapted to register with each other and said recesses in said. flange to permit mounting and re moval of the cover, means associated with said receptacle and said lock-elements for rcinovably holding the latter in said channel in proper position relatively to each other, interengaging formations on said-lock elements for limiting their rotation relatively to each other, a projection on one of said locl: elements adapted to be engaged by projections of the cover for effecting rotation thereof with said cover, and said lockclements each having frictional engagement with the receptacle for resisting the rotation of said loclcelements relatively to each other and said receptacle.

A device oi the kind specified comprising a receptacle having an inwardly extending annular flange at its mouth provided with a plurality of equally spaced radial recesses, a plurality of rings constituting lock elements rotatably mounted in said receptacle below said flange and all. having rec sses corresponding in number and location and adapted to register with those of said flange, interengaging projections on the several rings for limiting their relative rotation and for causing them to rotate in unison when said projections are engaged, a cover for said receptacle, L-shaped projections on said cover corresponding in number and location with the recesses of the said flange and adapted to pass therethrough and through the recesses of the several rings when the latter are accordinglypositioned,

.the receptacle for resisting and a projection on the lowermost ring adapte'd'to-be engaged by the cover'projections for eflecting rotation of the several rings by rotating said cover;

6. A device of the kind specified comprising a receptacle having an'l'nwardly extending annular flange at its mouth provided with a p'lurality'of equally spaced radial recesses, a plurality of ringsconstituting lock elements rotatably mounted in said receptacle below said flange andall'havingrecesses corresponding in number and location and adapted to register with those of saidflange, interen'gaging projections on the several rings for limiting their relative rotation and for causingthem to rotate in unison when said projections are engaged, a cover for said receptacle, l -shaped projections on said cover corresponding in number and location with the recesses of the said flange and adapted to pass therethrough and through the recesses of the several rings when the latter are accordingly positioned, and a projection on the lowermost ring adapted to be engaged by the cover projections for efl'ecting rotation of the several rings by rotating said cover, and each of said rings having yielding parts engaging free rotation of said rings.

7. In a combination lock for a receptacle, the receptacle having an opening bordered by a channel, a plurality of ring-like permutation lock elements rotatably mounted in the channel, the channel and elements having recesses adapted to be aligned, a cover, channel engaging lugs on the cover adapted to be entered through said recesses for looking the cover on the receptacle, said lockelements each being formed for yieldingly and frictionally engaging the walls of said channel to resist relative rotation of said lock-elements relatively to each other and to the receptacle.

8. In a permutation lock the receptacle having a circular bordered by an inturned flange at of an inwardly projecting flange an annular channel, a plurality of ring-like permutation lock-elements mounted for rotation in said channel, one of said elements having an inner flange contacting with said inturned flange and formed to engage same with a frictional engagement to resist free rotation thereof.

9. In a permutation lock of the kind described, asubstantially circular band havingan external flange removed at spaced intervals, the band being distorted out of true circular form, such distortion being permitted by the said removal of parts of said flange, and a cylindrical part fitting within said band and frictionally engaged thereby by reason of its distortion.

10. In a permutation lock of the kind clefor a receptacle, opening the edge forming edge of said flange and spaced to provide a plurality of .arcuate spaces between them which are of different circumferential lengths, and adapted to receive projections on a co-operating lock member, the placement of the projections in the different arcuate spaces producing variations in the permutations of the lock. v 11. In a permutation lock of scribed, a plurality of made of thin sheet metal, a casing having cylindrical walls between which the tumblers are positioned and adapted to rotate, alternate ones of said tumblers respectively, engaging the opposite surfaces of said cylindrical walls with a spring frictional engagement to resist free rotation thereof. 7

12. In a permutation lock of the kind described, two substantially fiat ring-like tumblers made of sheet metal and adapted to nest in a shallow ring like space, cylindrical walls defining the outer and inner sides of said space, spring tonguesfon one of said tumblers engaging the outer wall, the other tumbler having an inner ring-like portion cut at one or more points and distorted out of true circular form, such distortion being permitted by said cutting, said ring-like portion being conformed to the inner cylindrical wall and engaging the same with a frictional engagement by reason of said the kind dedistortion.

13. In a permutation lock of the kind described, spaced cylindrical walls and flat parallel walls defining within said walls a shallow annular space, and flat ring-like ring-like. tumblers I tions at their edges adapted tofrictionally engage the cylindrical defining walls of said space.

let. In a permutation lock of the kind described, a tumbler having a ring-like band at its inner edge adapted to engage a cylindrical wall, the band severed at intervals'to form notches, the adjacent ends of the portions of the band connected by segments of an outer flat flange whereby the band being distorted out of true circular form in manufacture is by reason of its shape adapted to engage a cylindrical wall with a frictional engagement.

15. In a permutation lock of the kind described, outer and inner cylindrical walls and flat end walls defining-a substantially enclosed shallow annular space, and two rotatable tumbler rings rotatably arranged within said space, each tumbler ring bearing against both of said end walls whereby it is held against endwise movement.

16. In a permutation lock of the kind described, outer and inner cylindrical walls and flat end walls defining a substantially enclosed shallow annular space, and rotatable tumbler rings rotatably arranged within said space and held against .endwise movement by said end walls, oneof said rings engaging the inner cylindrical wall with a yielding frictional engagement and the other of said rings engaging the outer cylindrical wall with an independent yielding frictional engagement, said frictional engagement in each case being suflicient'to prevent any but intentional rotation of the tumbler rings.

GEORGE BKEPLINGER. 

